Go back

Copyright Graeme Murphy 2000-2021 

 

 

I remember it well in that Bairnsdale motel

Across from the cross of St Mary

We were young then and unscripted

Made it up as we went along

 

As the curtain swirls back from the apron

The footlights  of twilight fade up

We are watchers as well we are players

In close-up unprepared  and prompt less

We play the play of what is and what is not

 

Somewhere near the owl stands her ground

Somewhere the out of time cock crows

Somewhere next door the black dog sighs

Somewhere the clips of time stand in line

Set to depart stage left and be gone

 

Then was then and now is now

We lie in the bed we made back then

The footlights have long ago faded

The midnight thieves sidle closer

 

As our sleepless toss and turns beat  time

To the swish swish swish of the ceiling fan

I swear that I heard you whisper

 

“ it’s the guilt that does the damage”

 

 Bairnsdale 1995